A Success Story: A Few Degrees of Connection Can Get You a Job

Today I saw an email announcing the forthcoming Contribution Networking Party in Seattle come May, as well as an earnest  request for Success Stories on the Law of Contribution in Action.

And, I am compelled to share a recent experience of my own. In this current economy with unemployment rates published at about 9-10% in Washington (meaning the reality is more likely double says one Business Advisor friend of mine), to hear of someone gaining employment and an ideal situation at that, feels good to report.

This is VERY TRUE Story:
Our characters are:
Me: who is naturally inclined to be helpful and loves the CNP community for its very existence and stated goals.
Julia: newly unemployed and interestingly, by choice, wondering what now: more school or new work?
Anand: a new acquaintance whom I am cultivating a business alliance with
Raj: a business acquaintance of Anand's whose a seasoned entrepreneur
Paul: Raj's right hand man in Operations

And last but not least Tyler: a peer of mine in a class we were both attending

In January I was about to complete one course I was taking with Tyler and about to commence a new class that would include Julia, whom I had also registered for the course itself. Tyler generously provided all his classmates with tickets to a VIP party that was happening the night before the big Seattle Boat Show began. And I was excited to attend and invited a friend to accompany me, hoping to introduce him to those I might meet that I already knew were coming.

Previously, Julia had shared with me that she had recently left the PR firm she had been with for over 18 months to re-evaluate exactly what she wanted to do next and for whom. I offered to her that I would pass along her resume should I hear of a suitable fit. And most importantly, I asked her what she wanted most or what she knew she didn't want. She did a great job of identifying both and that was a key ingredient as well.

The night of the VIP party, I recall joking to my companion, "I bet I meet someone I know in the first 30 minutes," for this was often the case for me. After 10 years of being friendly in Seattle, I feel like I know and know of a lot of people.

Well this night it was my guest who ran into an acquaintance of his in the first five minutes of our perusing the glorious yachts and boats at the show. And so I was introduced to serial entrepreneur, Raj and his #2 man, Paul and cards all around were exchanged after a very pleasant conversation.

A week later I myself was having coffee with Paul and it came up in conversation they needed to hire a person who sounded just like "Julia"...so I made a simple introduction on February 4th.

And to make a long story a little bit shorter, Julia called Thursday last to inform me she had been offered the job and it fit her wish list just right and she was starting Monday.

And last report from her and Paul was that day #1 went great and there was much to look forward to.

As a post script to Julia's and Raj's and Paul's happy ending, I shared this with Tyler when I saw him next and told him his role was equally important and it all began with his generosity.

Conclusion: Business is made through generosity of spirit and contributions to others we might be just getting to know...take note! Where these business ties go next is another story that is unfolding...and the best part of this experience was that I as the business minded person I am, was also just being myself.

I hope I get to make connections that result in concrete goodness for many more people this year.

We just never know what our little introductions and additions to people's lives will produce do we?

P.S. (I gotta mention that it really struck me that both Tyler and Julia were making the most of using the Human Relations Principles gleaned from How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie as they were in their respective classes too...I feel blessed to work in the field I do!) And that in being interested in helping other people, we really do help far more than we may ever know.) If you have not read the book lately, I heartily recommend a review. Or read it for the first time. And if you prefer a cliff note version of the Little Golden Book of Success Principles, drop me an email, I'll forward you a pdf for your desktop. No catch, just a desire to share the time-tested principles that Dale Carnegie and others before and after him affirm are the keys to success for ourselves and others.

May we all make a grand connection for someone today that is but the first ripple in the pond of business we are part of!